No Sweat

New treatments destroy sweat glands in the underarms—either with microwave energy (MiraDry) or ultrasound (Ulthera). In separate studies of people who experience heavy underarm perspiration, Ulthera reduced sweating by 73 percent and MiraDry reduced it by 82 percent. Both procedures are done with a local anesthetic; patients may temporarily experience mild soreness and swelling afterward, says dermatologist Mark S. Nestor, an associate professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine who has studied Ulthera. "The results have lasted over a year so far," he says. (Botox for sweating generally lasts six to nine months.) MiraDry is FDA-approved for treating excessive underarm sweating; Ulthera is only approved for skin tightening, but doctors are also using it off-label for this purpose. In separate studies of people who experience heavy underarm perspiration, Ulthera reduced sweating by 73 percent and MiraDry reduced it by 82 percent. Both procedures are done with a local anesthetic; patients may temporarily experience mild soreness and swelling afterward, says dermatologist Mark S. Nestor, an associate professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine who has studied Ulthera. "The results have lasted over a year so far," he says. (Botox for sweating generally lasts six to nine months.) MiraDry is FDA-approved for treating excessive underarm sweating; Ulthera is only approved for skin tightening, but doctors are also using it off-label for this purpose.